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The beautiful snowy peaks of
the High Atlas are a surprise to those who think of North Africa
solely as a desert. Morocco holds countless revelations, large
and small, and you’ll uncover many of them on this intriguing
journey. You’ll explore the most elaborate and perfectly
constructed monuments in Morocco, from ornate mosques to opulent
palaces. You’ll discover the intriguing back streets of the
medina, where residents live a fascinating ancient way of life.
Become an artful bargainer in the colorful markets and bazaars
lining the kasbah. Watch coppersmiths, slipper-makers and
ironworkers craft their wares. Dine on Moroccan specialties in a
huge Berber tent and enjoy a folklore performance and a display
of horseback riding skills. In Volubilis, you’ll even observe a
far-flung outpost of the Roman Empire. Natural beauty, splendid
historical wonders, ancient medinas and souks, and an air of
intangible mystery make your days in Morocco a very special
life-long memory.
- Enjoy an exotic performance
of acrobats, belly dancers and musicians
- Delight your palate with the
flavors of Moroccan cuisine served in a traditional Berber
tent
- Explore the centuries-old
Bou Inania Islamic school, famed for its intricate
ornamentation
- Enjoy an exclusive farewell
dinner at Yacout Restaurant in Marrakech
*The 2008 Daily Itinerary will be
available soon.
DAYS 1 & 2, Monday & Tuesday - Depart for Rabat, MOROCCO
Depart your home on Monday, to arrive on Tuesday morning in
Rabat. Upon arrival you will be met and taken directly to your
luxury hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for you to rest
from the overseas flight, or to begin exploring this fascinating
city on your own. Rabat is known as the “Pearl of Morocco,”
standing high on the steep southern bank of the Bouragrag, where
the green river meets the blue sea. In the evening, meet
your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail and dinner party,
Your Travcoa Travel Director will tell you about the intriguing
itinerary ahead.
DAY 3, Wednesday - Rabat & Fes
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Rabat, the political capital
of Morocco and the fourth of the Imperial Cities of Morocco.
Your tour begins at the old medina, walking the narrow streets
of the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas, and stopping at the
Oudaya Gate. Visit the well-preserved 12th century Hassan Tower,
the magnificent surviving minaret of the great 12th century
Hassan Mosque, and the Chellah, which houses interesting museums
in a 17th century fortress. Walk into the Mohamed V Mausoleum,
the burial place of the present King’s father, and drive to the
Royal Palace for a visit.
Following lunch, drive to the private museum Dar Belghazi for a
look at Moroccan crafts through the centuries. The museum
contains a vast and impressive collection of intricately
embroidered Moroccan wedding belts. Moroccan brides used to sew
dazzling multi-colored belts, then throughout the wedding day
the bride would change outfits and adjust the belt to reveal a
section of color that matched her outfit. This tradition has
been abandoned and now the wedding belts have become collector’s
items. Arrive in Fes late afternoon, where you will spend the
next three nights.
DAY 4, Thursday - Fes
Fes is the oldest traditional city in Morocco and is still
regarded as the religious and cultural capital of the country.
It is the oldest of the four Imperial Cities, founded
approximately 809 A.D., and is the spiritual and intellectual
center of Islam in the West. Holding an enduring fascination for
visitors, it has one of the largest historic medinas, full of
monuments reflecting the different periods of Morocco's imperial
and architectural development. Fes consists of three towns: the
two ancient walled areas – Fes-el-Bali (the old town) and
Fes-el-Jedid (the new town) – and the more modern French-built
Ville Nouvelle. Your morning tour will include the 15th
century Borj Nord, a museum exhibiting ancient weapons; the
great gateway of the Royal Palace; and the imposing
fortifications of the 17th century Kasbah des Chrardas.
You’ll see the 9th century Karaouine Mosque and University, the
second most important Islamic University in the world after El
Azhar in Cairo, with its medersas (colleges) of Bou Inaninia and
Attarine. The Karaouine Mosque dominates Fes and serves as the
focal point of Fes-el-Bali, as well as being the most important
religious building of Morocco. Please note: entrance is not
permitted to non-Muslims.
Fes reached its peak during the Merinid Dynasty when the new
capital of Fes-el-Jedid was built to reflect the dynasty’s
power. You will also see the Royal Palace, Bou Jeloud Gardens
and the shrine of Sultan Moulay Idriss II, the founder of Fes.
Constructed in the 9th century, this zaouia (shrine) contains
his remains. As the sultan was considered a saint, this is a
place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims who come here are permitted to
touch the tomb through a hole in a small copper plaque.
In the afternoon, visit the markets and souks of the Medina
where the brass makers, storytellers and performers all ply
their trades. Being the largest medina in the Maghreb, the
combined area of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, it is easy to get
lost in this endless labyrinth of narrow streets. The entire old
town of Fes has been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Treasures
Site – citing the palaces, mosques, medrasas, zaouias and
fountains as being among the most beautiful in Morocco.
DAY 5, Friday - Fes, Volubilis & Meknes
Today you’ll have a full-day excursion that begins with a
short drive to Volubilis, an imposing Roman ruin. The capital of
the Roman Province of Mauritania, it was founded in the 3rd
century B.C., and became an important outpost of the Roman
Empire and the administrative center for Roman Africa.
This region’s land is some of the most fertile in North Africa
and the city exported wheat, olives and wild animals to Rome.
Graced with many fine buildings, it was home of Sylene, daughter
of Anthony and Cleopatra, who married the Berber King Juba II.
Volubilis administered contracts with the Berber tribes, whom
the Romans were never able to conquer. The Romans conquered
France, Spain and Tangier, but the Berber tribes stopped them
from entering the Atlas Mountains.
Continue via Moulay Idriss, the Holy City, which was founded in
the 8th century by Moulay Idriss I, who brought the Islamic
religion to Morocco and created the first Arab dynasty. He was
the great-grandson of the Prophet Mohamed. For those unable to
make the ultimate pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, this
small town serves as a substitute pilgrimage. No foreigner or
non-believer is permitted to spend the night here.
You’ll arrive in Meknes for an afternoon tour of the third of
the Imperial Cities. In the 18th century, most of the marble in
Volubilis was transported to build Meknes. Sultan Moulay Ismael,
a contemporary of Louis XIV of France, imitated his grandiose
building schemes in the construction of the city.
Meknes is dominated by the monumental gate at the top of the
hill in the medina. The Bab El Mansour is claimed to be the
finest gateway in North Africa, dating from the reign of the
Sultan Moulay Ismael, and completed by his son Moulay Mohammed
Ben Abdullah in 1732. It marks the entrance to the huge grounds
of this Imperial City. Here you can see the Royal Stable, once
having housed the Sultan’s 12,000 horses. The palace/tomb of
Moulay Ismael is one of the two mosques in Morocco which
non-Muslims are allowed to enter.
DAY 6, Saturday - Fes & Casablanca
This morning, we fly to fabled Casablanca. Situated on the
Atlantic, Casablanca has one of the largest artificial ports in
the world. Casablanca can trace its roots back to a 10th century
B.C. settlement believed to have been erected by Berber
fishermen. When the Spanish settled there in the late 1700s they
changed the city’s name to Casa Blanca from Daru l-Bayda, which
is the Arabic name of the city even today.
Your afternoon tour of Casablanca includes Place Mohamed V, a
busy shopping street lined by residential blocks dating from the
1930s. The Place Mohamed V is Casablanca's main square, around
which run the cities major streets. The square links the old
town and new town together. See United Nations Square, designed
by French architect Joseph Marrast; the League of Arab States
Park, which was built in 1925 and offers a large area of
greenery with palm trees, arcades, pergolas and cafés with shady
terraces. Get a true feel for the intrigue that is Casablanca
with a visit to the Habbous district (Quartier des Habous) with
its shaded squares and narrow streets lined with arcades that
lead from one souk to another.
DAY 7, Sunday - Casablanca & Ouarzazate
This morning, take in the beauty and majesty of the
impressive Hassan II Mosque. Built for the 60th birthday of
former Moroccan King Hassan II, it is the largest religious
monument in the world after Mecca, with space for 25,000
worshippers inside and an additional 80,000 outside. The
towering minaret is the tallest in the world and is visible day
and night for miles. Designed by a French architect, it features
typical Moroccan design and all of the granite, plaster, marble
and other materials used in its construction are native to
Morocco. Over 6,000 Moroccan artisans worked for five years on
the mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted
plaster moldings, and carved and painted wood ceilings.
Traditional in design, the mosque has many modern attributes
including a heated floor, electric doors, a sliding roof and
lasers which shine at night from the top of the minaret toward
Mecca.
Continue on to La Corniche Aïn Diab, one of the liveliest and
scenic areas of the city. Enjoy lunch at La Mer or Ma Bretagne,
which some regard as some of the best French food in Morocco.
In the afternoon, we fly to Ouarzazate, with the evening and
dinner yours to enjoy at leisure.
DAY 8, Monday - Ouarzazate
Enjoy a morning visit to the town of Ouarzazate, a city with
typical kasbah-style architecture. So many films have been made
here that you are sure to recognize some of the settings from
Gladiator, Seven Days in Tibet, The Mummy, Cleopatra and others.
Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, the great kasbah that ruled over the
southern caravan routes. An enormous domain, it once housed the
numerous sons and relatives of the Glaoui (he never lived here
himself), and the hundreds of servants, builders and craftsmen
who served them. Since independence, it has fallen into decline,
but it remains a fine example of a local kasbah.
In the afternoon we take a short drive to the Ksar Ait Ben
Haddou, an impressive 11th century structure and one of the
spectacular sights of Morocco. The ksar, a group of earthen
buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan
habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls,
which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou is a
striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco. It has
been declared by UNESCO to be a historical treasure.
DAY 9, Tuesday - Ouarzazate & Marrakech
We depart early this morning to drive over the Atlas
Mountains through Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, across the fertile
countryside of the Haouz Plain, to Marrakech, which is
surrounded by 12th century ocher-colored ramparts. Flash back in
time, and you will catch a glimpse of the glamorous silhouette
of Rita Hayworth and the great Orson Welles – both aficionados
of this glorious city.
We arrive in Marrakech at lunchtime. There’s time to relax
before our afternoon orientation tour of the city. View the city
gardens of the old medina of Marrakech, then take a stroll in
the famous Djamaa El F’na Square.
Twilight is the magical hour, when all of Marrakech seems to
descend on the city's central plaza, creating a tableau vivant
straight out of "1001 Nights." This is arguably one of the
world's most exotic locales – a tumult of acrobats, boxers,
story-tellers, snake charmers, water carriers, juice-squeezers,
henna-painters...unforgettable street theater that captivates
every visitor.
DAY 10, Wednesday - Marrakech
Marrakech, the second of the four Imperial Cities of
Morocco, is at the crossroads of Arab, Berber and Sudanese
civilizations. One of the world’s most mysterious and
fascinating cities, Marrakech has a memorable beauty, with its
palm-lined streets and red earth walls surrounding a huge medina
of flat-roofed, red houses. Marrakech was founded in 1062.
Situated in the Tensift Valley, the location of this city is
particularly impressive with the snow-covered peaks of the High
Atlas Mountain range appearing to rise from just behind the
city.
Your morning historical visit will include the stately 12th
century Koutoubia Minaret, designed by the same architect as the
Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. It is a
landmark dominating the whole of Marrakech. According to legend,
only a blind priest, known as a muezzin, was allowed to climb
its minaret to call the faithful to prayer because it towered
over the harem. Please note: You will only view the exterior of
the mosque, as entrance is not permitted to non-Muslims.
View the secret 16th century Saadian tombs, mausoleums for the
sultans and their families from the second Arab dynasty.
Discovered in 1917, the tomb’s design was influenced strongly by
Andalusian tradition. Afterwards visit the aristocratic El Bahia
Palace, former home of a 19th century Grand Vizier, which was
built on a two-acre garden. For seven years, approximately 1,000
craftsmen worked on its interior. Tour the 14th century Medersa
Ben Youssef, a former Islamic school, to admire the wonderful
architecture and wooden ceilings and see how the pupils lived in
tiny cells.
Return to Djamaa El F’na Square to browse through the many souks,
each specializing in a particular trade. Visit the various
sections of coppersmiths, babouche makers (Moroccan leather
slippers), carpenters, and weavers. The activity here never
seems to end and at each moment of the day takes on a
distinctive character. Marvel at the sights and sounds in the
Souk Larzal, the wool market; the Souk El Maazi, the goatskin
market; the Souk El Zarbia, the carpet market; the Souk
Haddadine, the market of the iron workers; and be dazzled by the
multi-colored fabrics hanging in the Souk of the Wool-Dyers.
DAY 11, Thursday - Marrakech
A morning horse-drawn carriage ride along the outside of the
old city ramparts takes us across the Agdal Gardens to the
gardens of Marjorelle and Menara. The Agdal Gardens were
established in the 12th century and cover almost 1,000 acres,
including several pools and extensive areas of olive, orange and
pomegranate trees. The lush Majorelle Botanical Gardens,
privately owned by Yves St. Laurent, is a small tropical garden
where you will stop for a stroll. The Menara Gardens are in an
olive grove with a rectangular pool and green-tiled pavilion
built in 1866. The small Saadia Pavilion, mirrored in the still
water with the mountains and olive groves in the background, was
used by the Sultans for romantic interludes.
Marrakech is an oasis whose palmeraie (palm groves) stretch into
the desert from the city walls and is one of the largest and
most beautiful in the entire Kingdom, covering 34,500 acres. To
the south of Marrakech the peaks of the Atlas Mountains form a
skyline of snow-capped splendor. Your afternoon is at
leisure to explore more of this fascinating city. This evening,
bid farewell to marvelous Morocco with a typical Moroccan feast.
DAY 12, Friday - Depart for Home
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for
your flight home, or on to your next destination.
NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to change dependent
upon local conditions and/or operational changes or
improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within
each destination may also be altered to best accommodate
unscheduled closures, special events, weather, traffic, etc.
Please contact your Vacation Planner before scheduling any
coinciding appointments. You will receive an up-dated, itinerary
approximately 30 days prior to your journey’s scheduled
departure date.
Meeting Point:
Rabat, Morocco
Departure Point: Marrakech, Morocco
Duration: 12 days
Monday, March 03, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
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